UAAP suspends referees in La Salle-Adamson Final Four clash

Franz Pumaren. Photo by Tristan TamayoThe UAAP has suspended the referees, who officiated in La Salle’s controversial 82-75 win over Adamson in their UAAP Season 80 Final Four duel.The suspension came three days after the game that saw the Green Archers book a return trip to the finals.ADVERTISEMENT In a letter addressed to Adamson athletic director Fr. Aldrin Suan, CM, league commissioner Rebo Saguisag said that the school, which was outraged by the officiating, “are not alone.”“I called for an emergency meeting the very next day to address the seeming public outrage over said game to send a message to the referees that much is at stake,” Saguisag wrote, sharing that he, alongside tournament director Mark Molina of FEU and Erika Dy of Ateneo met on Sunday to discuss the urgent matters surrounding the game’s officiating.FEATURED STORIESSPORTSWATCH: Drones light up sky in final leg of SEA Games torch runSPORTSSEA Games: Philippines picks up 1st win in men’s water poloSPORTSMalditas save PH from shutoutAdamson was called for 33 fouls, while La Salle was only whistled for 12. Those calls led to the Green Archers shooting 26-of-39 from the free throw line, while the Soaring Falcons shot just 2-of-5.Those freebies certainly helped defending champion La Salle overcome a 15-point deficit in the third period and beat Adamson, 82-75. Read Next QC cops nab robbery gang leader, cohort Don’t miss out on the latest news and information. The Adamson community were dismayed, prompting Suan to pen a letter to Saguisag regarding the matter.“From the bleacher’s standpoint, and even if one does not know how a foul can be committed, it is loud and clear that the calls made by the referees were downrightly unfair and biased. The manner the game was officiated was revolting and calls for an immediate action in order to forestall its duplication in the future,” Suan wrote. “In hindsight, the game was marred by a biased refereeing.”Saguisag said the technical committee has decided to suspend referees Enan Alejo, Ian Borbe, and Mollie de Luna indefinitely, with two of them being considered for a possible ban for the rest of the season.“While we are still in the process of evaluating the whole game together with the statistics, the officials that worked [the La Salle-Adamson] game were immediately suspended with two strongly recommended for being banned for the rest of the season, if only to preserve public confidence in our league,” Saguisag wrote.Adamson coach Franz Pumaren also expressed his displeasure with the officiating following the loss, describing it as “the worst officiated game” he ever saw.ADVERTISEMENT Japan ex-PM Nakasone who boosted ties with US dies at 101 For the complete collegiate sports coverage including scores, schedules and stories, visit Inquirer Varsity. LATEST STORIES Focus on fighters’ safety adds to ONE Championship’s success Stronger peso trims PH debt value to P7.9 trillion Kris Aquino ‘pretty chill about becoming irrelevant’ CPP denies ‘Ka Diego’ arrest caused ‘mass panic’ among S. Tagalog NPA Typhoon Kammuri accelerates, gains strength en route to PH Chief Justice Peralta on upcoming UAAP game: UP has no match against UST PLAY LIST 01:00Chief Justice Peralta on upcoming UAAP game: UP has no match against UST00:50Trending Articles04:26Deaf personalities everyone should know01:37Protesters burn down Iran consulate in Najaf01:47Panelo casts doubts on Robredo’s drug war ‘discoveries’01:29Police teams find crossbows, bows in HK university01:35Panelo suggests discounted SEA Games tickets for students02:49Robredo: True leaders perform well despite having ‘uninspiring’ boss02:42PH underwater hockey team aims to make waves in SEA Games View comments Kammuri turning to super typhoon less likely but possible — Pagasa “I don’t want to sound sourgraping but I guess all the basketball fans saw the game. I guess, everybody saw the game, everybody noticed and knows what happened. Stepping out of the Coliseum, my friends from La Salle were embarrassed and can’t even celebrate the victory,” he said.In contrast, La Salle coach Aldin Ayo liked how the game was officiated.“It’s a good thing, the referees were consistent,” Ayo said. Brace for potentially devastating typhoon approaching PH – NDRRMC MOST READ